# Canadian Toad (*Anaxyrus hemiophrys*) The Canadian Toad is a small, bumpy-skinned frog that loves to hop around in wet areas. They are great at catching bugs and can make a funny sound when they croak! - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Canadian Toad](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Canadian_Toad_-Anaxyrus_hemiophrys.jpg&width=800) Photo: ceasol, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Canadian_Toad_-Anaxyrus_hemiophrys.jpg) ## Appearance The Canadian Toad is a stocky amphibian with warty, bumpy skin, typically grey-green to brown in color. It often has a distinct light stripe down its back and two large bumps, called parotoid glands, behind its eyes. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Anura - **Family:** Bufonidae - **Genus:** Anaxyrus ## Interesting facts - A group of toads has a fun, quirky name: it's called a 'knot'! - Male toads sing a loud, trilling song to attract a mate. - These toads spend winter buried deep underground, safe from icy cold. - They can use their eyeballs to help push stubborn food down their throat. ## Special abilities - **Toxic Shield Skin:** Canadian Toad has special glands that release a milky, toxic liquid to deter predators from eating them. - **Backward Burrower:** Canadian Toad can quickly dig backwards into the ground using its strong hind legs to hide or escape danger. - **Sticky Tongue Catcher:** Canadian Toad can shoot out its long, sticky tongue to quickly snatch up insects, worms, and other small prey. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 5-8 cm - **Weight:** 0.02-0.06 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-10 years - **Speed:** 0.5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1000-6000 - **Metamorphosis:** 40-60 days ## Diet & Feeding Canadian Toads are insectivores, mostly eating small invertebrates they catch with their sticky tongues. - **Age differences:** Tadpoles eat tiny plants and decaying matter, while adults eat insects and other small creatures. - **Primary Foods:** beetles, ants, spiders, worms, small slugs - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Common Garter Snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — Snakes are major predators. - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Mammals sometimes hunt toads. - **Eaten by:** Mallard Duck (*Anas platyrhynchos*) — Ducks can prey on tadpoles. - **Eats:** Silky Ant (*Formica fusca*) — Toads love to eat ants. - **Eats:** [Ground Beetle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ground-beetle) (*Pterostichus melanarius*) — A favorite food source. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Poisonous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/poisonous): Poisonous organisms produce toxins that can cause harm when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through contact. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not touch toads with bare hands; they have special skin that can irritate you. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Canadian Toad? Check the toe pads, leg length, eye markings, back pattern and body shape. Don't lean on color: some frogs change shade to match their surroundings. Frog Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Canadian Toad? 5-8 cm ### How much does Canadian Toad weigh? 0.02-0.06 kg ### How long does Canadian Toad live? 5-10 years ### How fast can Canadian Toad move? 0.5 km/h ### What does Canadian Toad eat? Canadian Toads are insectivores, mostly eating small invertebrates they catch with their sticky tongues. ### Where is Canadian Toad usually found? Wetlands ### How does Canadian Toad hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Red River Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/red-river-zoo) — North Dakota, US · Zoo - [Waubay National Wildlife Refuge](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/waubay-national-wildlife-refuge) — South Dakota, US · Nature Reserve - [Spruce Woods Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/spruce-woods-provincial-park) — Manitoba, CA · State Park [View all places to see Canadian Toad](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/canadian-toad) ## More Amphibians - [Eastern Red-backed Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-red-backed-salamander) (*Plethodon cinereus*) - [California Slender Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-slender-salamander) (*Batrachoseps attenuatus*) - [Cuban Tree Frog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cuban-tree-frog) (*Osteopilus septentrionalis*) - [European Toad](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-toad) (*Bufo bufo*) --- Source: [Canadian Toad: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/canadian-toad)